When we think of the European Parliament, we usually imagine MEPs voting in the debating chamber. In reality, though, voting only takes place once a month, during plenary part-sessions. But what actually are these part-sessions, and how do they work?

What are plenary sessions?

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Tax the rich

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Social-economic cost of climate change, floods in Emilia Romagna, Marche, Toscana - urgent need EU solidarity

EP Plenary session - Threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular the creation of an investigative committee

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - Situation in Sudan

EP Plenary session - Adoption of the Act in support of ammunition production

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU).Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy- annual reports 2022

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) - The human rights situation in Afghanistan especially the deterioration of women’s rights

EP Plenary session - Human rights situation in Egypt

EP Plenary session - Situation of human rights in the context of the upcoming FIFA world cup in Qatar

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with youth organizations and University Students, at the Library of the University of Cyprus

EP Plenary session - Topical debate: The Three Seas Initiative; challenges and opportunities

EP Plenary session  - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session -  Question time to Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World - The EU’s security and strategic compass

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The situation of journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (19-23 October 2020), MEPs debate the Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the HRVP on the relations with Belarus. Opening statements by Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (Renew,LT), rapporteur and by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Plenary session: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the HRVP on relations with Belarus. Opening statements by Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (RE, LT), rapporteur and Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, Vice-President of the European Commission

This stockshots shows the atmosphere in the corridor and during several debates taking place in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels with the new health conditions due to the Covid pademia (social distancing, wearing a mask ...).

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels – Interior (updated version)

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate (06/10) and vote on the report Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI) on the European Forest Strategy.

European Forest Strategy - The Way Forward: extracts from the debate (06/10) and from the vote on the report Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI)

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate and vote a resolution on the situation of rule of law and fundamental rights as well as the ongoing protests against corruption and alleged state capture in Bulgaria.

Rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria: extracts from the debate (05/10), from the vote and illustration shots

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the impact of Covid-19 outbreak on long-term care facilities with Dubravka SUICA, EC Vice-President.

Impact of Covid-19 outbreak on long-term care facilities: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the fight against money laundering, following the FinCEN files.

Fight against money laundering, following the FinCEN files: extracts from the debate

This Infoclip illustrates the MEPs debate with Josep Borrell Fontelles, EC High Representative and Vice-President, on the resumption of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan during the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels,

Resumption of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan in relation to Nagorno-Karabakh enclave: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the European Climate Law. MEPs debate (part 3/3)

Plenary session - European Climate Law. MEPs debate (part 3/3)

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the European Climate Law. MEPs debate (part 1/3)

Plenary session - European Climate Law. MEPs debate (part 1/3)

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the European Climate Law. MEPs debate (part 2/3)

Plenary session - European Climate Law. MEPs debate (part 2/3)

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the European Climate Law. Opening statements by Jytte GUTELAND (S&D, SE), rapporteur and by Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), ITRE, by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, by Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA,LU), TRAN, Caroline ROOSE (Greens/EFA,FR), REGI and Asger CHRISTENSEN (Renew, DK), AGRI. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Plenary session - European Climate Law. Opening statements by the rapporteur, committee speakers and European Commission

During the plenary (5-8 October) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on a more ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target. The European climate law aims to transform political promises that the EU will become climate-neutral by 2050 into a binding obligation, to give European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for the transformation.

European Climate Law: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the European Climate Law. Closing statements by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal and by Jytte GUTELAND (S&D, SE), rapporteur

Plenary session - European Climate Law. Closing statements by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal and by Jytte GUTELAND (S&D, SE), rapporteur

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights. Opening statements by Michael ROTH, German presidency of the Council of the EU and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Rule of Law conditionality in the framework of the MFF 2021-2027 and Next Generation EU: Opening statements by Michael ROTH, German presidency of the Council of the EU and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice Commission

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights. Opening statements by Michal ŠIMEČKA (Renew, SK), rapporteur, by Tiemo WÖLKEN (S&D,DE), JURI, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Domènec RUIZ DEVESA for the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

The Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights: Opening statements by Michal ŠIMEČKA, rapporteur, Tiemo WÖLKEN, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Didier REYNDERS and Domènec RUIZ DEVESA

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights. Closing statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner and Michal ŠIMEČKA (Renew,SK), rapporteur

The Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights: Closing statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Didier REYNDERS and Michal ŠIMEČKA

During the plenary session (5-8 October 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights. First round Political group leaders

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